In a move anticipated by many, the Giants have selected Miami S Kenny Phillips with the 31st pick in the NFL Draft. The pick addresses an area of need for the team, which lost Gibril Wilson to the Raiders via free agency.

Phillips barely became the fourth Miami safety selected in the first round this decade. The others were Ed Reed, Brandon Meriweather and the late Sean Taylor.

The 6-2, 212-pound Phillips, who had seven interceptions in three seasons with the Hurricanes, has good speed (4.55-second 40-yard dash), solid range, good tackling ability, great hands and shows good awareness. Basically, the former corner has everything you want from your safety.

But according to scouts, Phillips, who left school one year early, still bites on some play fakes, has trouble shedding blocks and needs to work on his technique a bit. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and secondary coaches Peter Giunta and Dave Merritt will get to work on those areas.

With veteran Sammy Knight joining Michael Johnson and James Butler, Phillips will have some work to do to earn a starting spot. But he certainly has a decent chance.